Drifting Far Away

• Jenny Tang Tang , Grade 8C, Presbyterian Ladies College
• Short Story
• 2014

Excellence Award in the 'The Text Generation 2014' competition

As the sun gradually drowned in the horizon, the sky became a painted canvas of colours, creating a malevolent glow across the infinite crystal grains beside the churning water. A crowd of black gathered along the shores, watching the gentle waves slowly crashing and meeting their end.

Each one of them clutched a jar filled with shimmering fragments, but individually they were scattered into the endless waves, forming a layer of luminosity hovering over the calm sea, reflecting the warmth of the sun. As the people finished, tears trickled down colourless faces, displaying masks of grief and sorrow. Eventually I approached the borderline and threw the last handful of glitter into the sea, bringing the funeral to a finish.

A rush of realization surged through my body, thrusting me back towards the side of a cliff that was like a soaring majestic eagle, slowly sliding down until my knees were in front of my face. I thought a lifetime seemed like a distance away, but truly, she was only fourteen precious years.

She's really gone, just like the glitter, drifting far away.